Construction of Christiana Care Health System's new eight-story, 380,000-square-foot women and children's building could break ground in Spring 2016, if plans are approved by a state health board.

The project would add eight floors onto the existing Women's Building near the entrance of Christiana Hospital's campus in Stanton. The addition will add new labor and delivery suites, a new parking garage, create 80 private neonatal intensive care rooms from existing space and add a new labor lounge and rooftop garden.

"We really see this as a place for families to begin a new journey," said Sherry Monson, vice president of Christiana Care Health System’s Women’s and Children’s Service. "That new journey is marked by the miracle of life."

Officials from the hospital system unveiled details about the project to the Delaware Health Resources Board Thursday afternoon.

The board, which regulates construction and the number of beds in hospitals and nursing homes, is expected to decide on whether to approve the plans by January 27.

The project could cost up to $260 million and would be completed by 2020. Christiana Hospital's current NICU was built in 1997.

When you walk into the new building, ideally staff said families would check in and see a café, retail space and a sparkled walkway leading to the labor lounge which would provide a private space for women to walk around or find a place to sit comfortably when they start to have labor pains.

The NICU would spread over two floors, with 40 rooms on each floor. In total, there will be 70 private rooms and 10 continuing care spaces.

Munson said hospital staff care for over 70 babies at a time now, but they are in very close quarters which could cause complications or make them at risk for bacterial infections.

Single family rooms would ensure they are clean and babies are comfortable to decrease that risk, added Dr. David Paul, Christiana Care's chair of pediatrics.

The hospital currently has 16 private birthing rooms, but plans would expand the labor and delivery unit by four rooms and add more triage space for high-risk moms and premature babies.

Another floor would specifically be for postpartum care for women to learn about breastfeeding, visit with family and friends and take classes that would teach things such as how to safely secure a child in a car seat.

"We are really doing this for the families in Delaware," said Paul.

A special nursery for babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome opened in July with the help of a $500,000 gift from the Junior Board of Christiana Care. The nursery also will help babies with complex issues such as trouble feeding or jaundice who cannot go home right away.

Amanda Sleeper, co-chair of Christiana Hospital's volunteer advisory council, was happy to see the project move forward. Sleeper, 39, of Landenberg, Pennsylvania, spent six months working with hospital officials to craft the proposal by giving insight as a former patient.

Sleeper gave birth at Christiana Hospital seven years ago. She remembers being completely stressed when she was in labor and just hopes that the new plans will help relieve some of that stress for families and make the entire birthing experience a private one, but still one where they feel guided by hospital staff.

"I think it will be a great space for families in the future," Sleeper said.

Jen Rini can be reached at (302) 324-2386 or jrini@delawareonline.com. Follow @JenRini on Twitter.